OSU notes: Thompson pushes to return earlier from suspension

CORVALLIS -- Oregon State offensive tackle Tavita Thompson has been practicing with his teammates but not playing in games for almost a year, always under the assumption that he wouldn't be eligible until a Nov.1 game against Arizona State.

That might change.

Thompson said this week he has hired an attorney to try and reduce the length of his suspension, but offered no details and declined to name the attorney.

Thompson was declared ineligible by the NCAA -- he took diet pills that contained a banned substance -- after the Beavers upset No. 2 Cal 31-28 last October 13.

Oregon State coach Mike Riley had no comment.

Steve Fenk, the school's sports information director, said OSU has no involvement in possible legal proceedings against the NCAA.

"Tavita's alone on this," Fenk said.

Thompson started seven games at left tackle in 2007.

He has missed nine games since the eligibility issue arose.

The Beavers have four games between now and Nov. 1 -- USC next Thursday, Utah on Oct. 2, Washington State on Oct. 11 and Washington on Oct. 18.

Thompson's early return would be welcomed by the Beavers, who have been hit with injuries and illness on the offensive line.

Mike Remmers, a walk-on redshirt freshman, has started at right tackle.

Preparations for USC: The Beavers are taking three days off during the bye week -- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday -- as they get ready for next Thursday night's game at Reser Stadium against No. 1-ranked USC (6p.m., ESPN).

"They're good," he said. "I mean, it's pretty obvious. We're going to have to play a great, great game and that's what we're looking forward to doing."

The Beavers have played well against USC in the past two games at Reser.

In 2004, in a dense fog, the No. 1-ranked Trojans fell behind 13-0 but won 28-20 after Reggie Bush scored on a 65-yard punt return.

In 2006, No. 3 USC had four turnovers, fell behind 30-10 in the second half and lost 33-31 when Beavers' defensive end Jeff Van Orsow battled down quarterback John David Booty's two-point conversion pass.

"We've had difficult games both times we've played there," said USC coach Pete Carroll, who is 5-1 against Oregon State since he became USC's head coach in 2001.

OSU injuries: Starting safety Greg Laybourn has a sore neck after suffering a stinger in the Hawaii game, but Laybourn says he will play. ... Placekicker Justin Kahut (hip flexor) hopes to be kicking again during Saturday's practice. He missed three field goals in the first half of the Hawaii game. "I couldn't remember the last time I hit that many balls so poorly," said Kahut, who said he felt tightness during the Penn State game, a situation made worse by OSU's long trip home, and felt pain throughout the Hawaii game.

Note: OSU says 4,000 general admission tickets remain available for the USC game.